Simegnew Bekele, chief engineer and the lead project manager of the Great Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD), was found dead in his car at Mesqel Square in Addis Abeba today.

The cause of death is as of yet unknown. Police are currently conducting a forensic investigation at the scene on the commercial vehicle, which has the plate number, “A29722,” that Simegnew was found in.

Simegnew has been head of the project since construction began in April 2011. Expected to produce over 6,000 MW of power, construction had reached 65pc completion rate back in January.